Tech Tip: Ansys Mechanical: Bolt Pre-Tensioning Using Line Bodies (Beam Elements) 

Line element and beam element are not appropriate for extended connection simulation. Because if there is an external force applied in bolt tension and shear direction at the plates, it will not work properly due to conflicts of the contacts between bolts and plates. Large Pinball region may lead to convergence problem during the solution. These two methods of line element and beam element for using a representation of bolt is only useful for observing the stress on the plates due to bolt pretension.

JD, I calculated that there was about a 40% error between the max values using a solid body and the first line body method, and a 77% error with the second method. Knowing this, would you say this method of simplification should generally be used more for preliminary sizing studies rather than final analyses?